Charlie Fineran’s Photo of the Week shows rock core samples laying along Rockcores Trail  from 1956 when boring into bedrock was done to test the feasibility of the proposed Tocks Island Dam.  The dam project was never approved and the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area was established from all the lands connected to the proposed dam project.

Rockcores Trail is a 2.7 mile trail with an elevation of about 460 feet, located in Worthington State Forest.  The trail follows an old road ca 1855 from Ferry Landing to Rinehart Farm on Prospect Hill, where pump manufacturer C.C. Worthington built Buckwood Lodge in 1890.

Today’s directions, from South to North, the trail starts near the entrance to Worthington State Forest Headquarters, gently climbing the mountain it parallels Old Mine Road.  On the journey North you first intersect Douglass Trail, which you will now piggyback along for a short distance.  You will pass by a sign with information about Rockcores Trail.  A short distance later, Douglass Trail drops off to the left, and ends at the Douglass parking area.  A short distance later, you cross over the drainage stream from Sunfish Pond, whose waters will eventually tumble over Laurel Falls, located just off Old Mine Road prior to entering the Delaware River.  The trail continues North ending on Old Mine Road adjacent to Tocks Island.  The trail gets its name from the rock cores, which were bored into the bedrock in 1956 for the proposed Tocks Island Dam.

NOTE:  If you just want a short trip to see the rock cores, begin at Tocks Island entrance, the core samples are uphill in about a half mile.

SECOND NOTE:  For a nice view of Buckwood Lodge, now Shawnee, go into Worthington State Forest’s main entrance and go to the boat launch, Shawnee is directly across the river.

Please visit my Flickr site for photo tour – https://www.flickr.com/photos/charliefineran/albums/72157697996956814

Enjoy Your Open Space, Charlie Fineran